Young Australian defender Dean Evans has joined Kitchee as the champions prepare for the defence of their league title and their first AFC Cup campaign.
Evans, 21, has made one appearance in his three-year tenure with Western Australia side Perth Glory, but the centre-half was the captain of their youth squad, playing in the eight-team National Youth League.
'He was the outstanding player of the NYL last season and has been considered the most talented young player in Western Australia,' a Kitchee spokesman said. 'His arrival will help stabilise our defence as he can also play left or right back.'
Evans' identity as an Asian expatriate will help Kitchee in the AFC Cup, allowing them to devote their overseas player quota to their Spanish legion. Participants in the regional cup tournament are allowed three overseas players plus one Asian expatriate.
The champions have also signed 25-year-old So Yang, who can play various positions up front, from relegated side Tai Chung. The mainlander is another option for the Asian expatriate slot.
Also arriving is former mainlander Huang Yang, who qualifies as a local player after spending the last three years as a student in Hong Kong. Former Hong Kong international Lo Chi-kwan joined from Rangers and youngster James Ha from Football Club.